The entire federal court system will run out of that option by October 15 if nothing changes.

Courts are considered essential services so many employees will still have to report to work without pay.

Court clerk Lawrence Baerman said there is a chance for the government to provide back pay after then shut down ends.

"Hopefully if a budget is passed, we'll be paid retroactively, essential employees would be paid retroactively," Baerman said. "But during that process of course, people wouldn't be paid and that affects their ability to pay their bills."

The courts say there could be delays because of possible furloughs.

And after hours operations could be suspended after the 15th because there may not be enough staff to maintain security and operations.